Disciples Living as Grace-filled Stewards
A Four-week Stewardship Emphasis
Ron and Phyllis Chewning
Stewardship Advisors
32842 Bassett Woods Ct
Beverly Hills MI 48025
248.644.6150
DOWNLOAD Complete Stewardship Package (Dropbox Folder)
Leader Tips:
A Four-week Stewardship Emphasis
- Discipling: Teaching and Equipping
- Discipling Grace-filled Ambassadors
- Discipling Grace-filled Servants
- Discipling Grace-filled Givers
This stewardship emphasis is a very rewarding, educational, and enjoyable program. Our Lord changes us through His love to become disciples who seek to honor and serve Him with all He’s given us. Acknowledging that all we are and have are gifts from God, we become His faithful stewards.
This four-week emphasis can easily be reduced to three weeks by eliminating one of the four themes. If you were to shorten this emphasis, the suggestion would be to not offer the first weekly theme.
Sunday Morning Bible Studies
In order for your members to grow as disciples and as grace-filled stewards, it is necessary to spend time reading and studying God’s Word. The four Bible studies are available on the downloadable folder. Please note that for each week there is both a power point Bible study with questions and a Bible study that offers some text along with questions. You will be able to choose which study you want to use. Answer guides are also included.
Testimonials/ Lay reader talks
There are four lay reader talks provided or you may choose to use the talks that have been prerecorded. The audio CD files are titled “Lay reader talk audio.” There are also power point slides to show during the talks. Personal testimonials are more effective, but, if no member is willing to share his/her stewardship story with the congregation, these talks may be used. The talks may be given at the start of the service or during the time of the offering.
Daily Devotions
It is recommended that you distribute the copied daily devotions for the first week on the Sunday prior to the start of the emphasis, and the other three sets on the following three Sundays (one set each Sunday). Then members will be able to read the daily devotions focusing on the weekly theme prior to the message on Sunday.
Trifold Brochures
There is a trifold brochure for each of the four weekly themes. If you print out weekly devotions, you may choose not to use the trifold brochures.
Emphasis file folder download
All the material on the downloadable folder may be copied.
Banners
Artwork is available for you to develop a banner. There are three files for size 30 inches by 40 inches on the CD for you to choose from in making your banner. There are two three feet by five feet banners. For more information please refer to the banner information sheet.
Elders/ Council Members
In order to obtain the support and prayers of the elders and council members, you should discuss the emphasis with them. Any input they offer should be considered.
Commitment Sunday (weekend)
Members should be encouraged to make financial commitments to the Lord through their church. Commitment forms can be distributed with the bulletins/worship folders on Commitment Sunday (Commitment Weekend), which is the fourth week of the emphasis. It is a meaningful part of the service to give members the opportunity to bring their commitments forward to the altar. Every effort should be made to make Commitment Sunday a special and meaningful day. To show the joy and importance of making a commitment to the Lord, you may want to have balloons and/or other decorations. You could provide some special snacks. Some churches have found that inviting a special guest preacher is helpful. Some churches celebrate their commitments by having a lunch on Sunday.
The commitment forms need to be available on Commitment Sunday (weekend). It is suggested that you mail the letter from the pastor and a commitment form just prior to the start of the emphasis. This will act as a reminder for members to think and pray about their commitments. If they fail to bring their commitment forms with them, it won’t matter because there will be another form for them on Commitment Sunday.
After Final week
You are encouraged to send reminder letters to members who failed to return their commitment forms and send thank-you letters to members who returned their commitment forms. You will find these letters in this binder and on the CD (as are all materials mentioned).
**PLEASE NOTE**
If you are not a member of a Michigan District, LCMS Congregation please contact Ron Chewning at Stewardship Advisors for permission to use.